68 THE NESTS AND EGGS OF 



growing round it, and which are often interwoven with it, 

 in the tussocks of sedge or the small thorns and willows 

 by the water side. It is a small and carelessly made 

 structure, but the cup is neat and rounded, composed 

 externally of dry coarse grass and roots, and lined with 

 fine grass and horsehair. Occasionally cocoons, feathers, 

 and the flowers of aquatic plants are wov'en into the nest, 

 but the lining appears always to be hair. The bird is a 

 close sitter, very skulking when disturbed, and fond of 

 manifesting its displeasure at the intrusion by a series of 

 scolding cries. 



Range of egg colouration and measurement : 

 The eggs of the Aquatic Warbler are from four to six 

 in number, five being a usual clutch. They are brownish- 

 white in ground colour, clouded and mottled over the 

 whole surface with yellowish-brown, and occasionally 

 streaked with a few hair-like lines or scrolls of very dark 

 brown. Average measurement, '6% inch in length by 

 •5 1 inch in breadth. Incubation, performed chiefly by 

 the female, lasts fourteen or fifteen days. 



Diagnostic characters : Unfortunately there is no 

 character by which the eggs of the Aquatic Warbler 

 may be distinguished from those of the Sedge Warbler. 

 Eggs that are not thoroughly and trustworthily identified 

 are not of the slightest value. 



